Hughes And Collins Back In Football

John Hughes is back where he likes to be, in charge of a football team. 14 months out of the game has not dulled his enthusiasm for getting players to give of their best.

While the Scottish football world was watching events in Govan, Livingston today unveiled John Collins and John Hughes as the men to take the club forward. Collins has agreed to join the club in a newly created position as Director of Football Operations, while Hughes will be the new manager. Hughes was at pains to reassure fans that the pair will compliment each other and have specific roles. Collins will oversee the entire football operation at the club, and will be responsible for planning and delivering the structure within which the club will coach and develop players from the youngest age groups upwards.

Hughes' role will be more closely focussed on the day to day management of the first team squad. Both men bring a lifetime of experience and a track record of success in football to Livingston, attributes which made them stand out candidates to take the club forward. They both have Hibs and Celtic on their playing CVs and as well as Hibs on their management CV. The pair are great friends and play golf together on a regular basis. The post game chat is not about missed puts but football tactics.

Speaking on behalf of the board of directors, chairman Gordon McDougall said: "Our vision for the future at Livingston is to be a Centre of Excellence for the development of young players, producing footballers capable of playing in our own first team and at a higher level. Getting the structure right from the bottom up is vital to achieving that and by bringing John and John to the club, we believe that we've taken a massive step forward today. Both have huge enthusiasm for football, together with a passion for using their experience and expertise to coach and develop players. We have a talented squad at the club and I'm sure they are as excited as we are with today's appointments. It was important for us to get the right people on board and we're delighted to have done that."

The new management team met with the club's full time professional players this morning and will take up their positions with immediate effect. Hughes' first game in charge will be on Saturday at home to Raith Rovers.